Chapter 149
Chapter 149:
Camille’s mind raced back through the past weeks. Victoria working later than usual. Meals left half-finished. The slight stiffness in her movements that Camille had attributed to tension over Rose and Herod’s plotting.
“What’s the timeline for treatment?” Camille asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.
“We’d want to begin as soon as possible,” Dr. Chen replied. “The surgery could be scheduled within days, followed by recovery and then immunotherapy. The full course would take several months.”
“Is there family we should contact?”
“Her daughter,” Camille said, the words emerging with unexpected certainty. “I’m all the family she has.”
Dr. Chen nodded. “She’s asking for you. She’s heavily sedated, but conscious. Room 718.”
Camille moved through the corridor like a sleepwalker, the doctor’s words cycling through her mind: Cancer. Advanced. A few months.
She paused outside Room 718, drawing a deep breath before pushing the door open.
Victoria lay against white sheets, looking ghostly under the harsh hospital lighting. Gone was the commanding presence that filled boardrooms with a single glance. In its place lay a woman suddenly revealed as mortal, tethered to machines that beeped and hummed.
Her eyes opened as Camille approached the bed.
“I told them… not to tell you yet,” Victoria murmured, her voice raspy. “Wanted to… handle it myself.”
Camille sat carefully on the edge of the bed, taking Victoria’s hand. IV lines snaked from her arm, a stark reminder of her vulnerability.
“How long have you known?” Camille asked.
L𝓐tєѕτ chʜɑρτєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛ovєl𝑠.ⲕоm
“Suspected… two weeks,” Victoria admitted. “Confirmed… three days ago.”
Shock jolted through Camille. “Three days? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“The Grid,” Victoria said simply. “Couldn’t… risk distraction. Too important.”
The implication stunned Camille. Victoria had received a cancer diagnosis and said nothing, continuing to fight Rose and Herod’s sabotage as if nothing had changed.
“The doctor mentioned a new treatment,” Camille said, hope threading through her voice. “A surgical procedure and immunotherapy. She says there’s a good chance…”
“I know,” Victoria interrupted. “Already… discussed options.”
“So you’ll do it?”
Victoria’s eyes locked with Camille’s, some of her usual strength returning to her gaze. “Yes. But no one… can know. No one.”
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